Age of Legends

Chapter 301 Escaping the Crime Scene
By now, Zhang Chen is considered a legendary figure at Yude High School. He had been somewhat quiet before, after all, Yude is a large school with all sorts of people taking turns in the spotlight. The pressure of senior year is immense, and everyone is quite attentive to what's happening around them; sometimes it's a form of relaxation. The story of Zhang Chen publicly humiliating Zhou Ming for Qin Yan is now circulating again.

On the way into the school gate, a tall boy named Liu Bo called out to Zhang Chen. He was from Class 3 and was quite famous in the grade. He was tall, athletic, and academically excellent. As he walked alongside Zhang Chen, Liu Bo glanced at him and said, "I heard that Zhou Ming is now completely subservient to you... You're amazing."

Zhou Ming was well-known in the grade for his poor personal conduct, but he was undeniably good at achieving results, so the school leaders turned a blind eye to him.

Zhang Chen was still not convinced of the allure of Yude as a so-called "prestigious school." At this time, Yude's main source of teachers came from several normal schools in Rongcheng, which were of varying quality. However, like all key high schools, Yude poached people and kept recruiting some truly capable teachers. In addition, it selected the best students, thus creating the halo of a future prestigious school.

So don't say that people like Zhou Ming don't exist; they're actually quite common. With schools in Rongcheng expanding their enrollment, competition between them is fierce. Teachers like Zhou Ming, who produce excellent results, are bound to be sought after. Therefore, Zhou Ming runs rampant at Yude School, his reputation is widespread, and no one can do anything about him. Only students in other classes are thankful he doesn't teach them.

Previously, Zhou Ming was always targeting Zhang Chen, being sarcastic and mean, but now he is meek and obedient in front of Zhang Chen, creating a stark contrast.

Zhang Chen's personal changes, coupled with the shift in his family's circumstances, became a hot topic of conversation at school. Sometimes, when passing by a tree-lined path, a group of girls would whisper about him in private.

That day, walking in the sunset, Zhang Chen and Wang Shuowei walked ahead, while Zheng Xue and Shen Nuoyi lagged behind. Evening self-study hadn't started yet; this was their free time after dinner.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, the "artistic goddess" Feng Rui jogged up from behind and patted Zhang Chen on the shoulder.

When Zhang Chen turned around, Feng Rui handed him a printed ticket: "To relieve academic stress, the student council is organizing a concert the day after tomorrow. This is an inner field ticket."

There will be some small events, and some of the clubs at Yude are still operating. Wang Shuowei said, "What about mine? Feng Rui, you're not being fair!"

Feng Rui was taken aback when she heard this, then remembered that she and Wang Shuowei were actually more familiar with each other. So she reluctantly took out a second ticket from her pocket, "I also have a limited number of complimentary tickets, so... I'll give you one."

"What do you mean 'just one ticket'? If you're forcing me, don't give it to me." Despite saying this, Wang Shuowei took the ticket without hesitation, then glanced at her suspiciously: "You're not planning to keep this ticket so you can sit next to Zhang Chen later, are you?"

Feng Rui immediately blushed deeply, "How could that be! I'm the organizer! The organizer! The organizer will be very busy!"

"Alright, alright, such a big reaction, you have a crush on him!" Wang Shuowei blurted out.

This caused Feng Rui to go berserk on the spot, kicking him a few times before covering her face and running away.

Although Feng Rui didn't actually intend to get a ticket to sit next to Zhang Chen, the scene of giving away tickets in the crowded playground before evening self-study did attract a lot of attention and commotion.

“Zhang Chen is getting better and better. He’s starting to have a lot of influence at school.” Zheng Xue chuckled, turned around, and saw Shen Nuoyi standing there, looking in that direction. She then looked away and watched her with interest.

Zheng Xue was startled and quickly said, "That guy deserves to die! He even helped Qin Yan with the problem. Couldn't he just explain it to Qin Yan directly? Zhou Ming pulled this stunt, just to become famous for picking up girls! He's so great, he's such a hero!"

"Alright," Shen Nuo said. "It's pretty good, he is quite handsome."

Zheng Xue didn't dare to speak. After Shen Nuo finished speaking, a smile appeared on her lips as she walked forward. However, no one saw that out of the corner of her eye, she saw Zhang Chen holding the complimentary tickets.

Zheng Xue quickly followed and asked, "Have you and Zhang Chen been going to the bookstore together lately?"

"No."

"why?"

"Busy, no one has time." Shen Nuo didn't turn around, her profile cool and aloof.

"Oh." Zheng Xue followed along eagerly, thinking she was so cool and liked her a lot.

After evening self-study, I went home.

Before going to bed, Zhang Chen saw a text message coming in.

Shen Nuoyi: "Wait for me in the willow grove five minutes earlier tomorrow."

"What is it?" Zhang Chen asked.

"I'll keep you waiting."

How domineering! Zhang Chen replied, "Meow!"

"Ok?"

"As ordered!"

"It's fine. Good night."

The willow grove is located below the Yude intersection. Zhang Chen used to bring her food there, and it was a secluded spot in the mornings to avoid being seen by too many people. Since Shen Nuoyi probably had something for her, Zhang Chen didn't ask further, wanting to maintain some mystery.

The next day, Zhang Chen got up early and arrived at the willow grove five minutes early as agreed. Shen Nuoyi was already standing there.

The red and white school uniform, with the top two buttons of the inner shirt undone, revealed a partially concealed collarbone, and the elegant neckline beneath the high ponytail stood out especially in the crisp spring light.

Zhang Chen was stunned for a moment when she stood there.

Zhang Chen had seen her like this many times during his high school years, but she always walked ahead of him, while he slowed down and followed behind.

She was like a white horse, her red and white school uniform always moving with composure, while he was much more timid.

Back then, their gazes were hooked, yet they dared not stare openly. They only dared to greedily and quickly sweep over that slender back, the swaying ponytail, and the fleeting glimpse of the neck. They would then look around nervously, as if caught doing something wrong. At this moment, they would also bump into other boys who had been caught in the heat, clumsily dodging away. Their eyes met, and they would awkwardly understand each other without saying a word.

This figure, which I once glimpsed in the morning mist and whose sight would make my heart flutter all day, was gone in the blink of an eye, vanished into the vastness of life.

Years later, now in his forties, he woke up in bed with tears streaming down his face, frustrated that he couldn't remember what that stunningly beautiful face from his dream looked like.

What I thought was a simple farewell has actually become a tribute to a long, seemingly endless, chaotic and grand youth.

……

This time, the figure in the red and white school uniform was not standing alone in front of him, but facing him.

Shen Nuo stepped forward, took his hand, pulled it slightly, and then pressed his five fingers into his palm, hooking their hands together for a brief moment.

The girl's fingers felt soft, delicate, warm yet strong.

A faint blush crept onto her ears. She raised her eyes and glanced at Zhang Chen, who was still somewhat astonished. She pursed her lips, her hands trembling slightly, and her voice, though soft, carried a deliberate, tense calmness.

"Don't misunderstand," she said.

Zhang Chen looked like Spartacus. Don't get me wrong, don't get me wrong! What's wrong, are you reading my palm?

After a pause, Shen Nuo raised an eyebrow, and Zhang Chen suddenly remembered that he must have dreamed of these same eyes back then.

She said, "I miss you."

Then he added, "Let's hold hands."

Time seemed to stand still here for a long time, but in reality, it only lasted for less than ten seconds.

Shen's voice quickly rang out, "I'm going first!"

It's like saying, "When the wind blows, we're out of here."

She pulled her hand away and moved forward quickly.

They fled the crime scene.

(End of this chapter)